A provision in Vermont's health care law called on the
Shumlin Administration to identify several ways to finance a single payer
health care system early next year. But the 2013 date was chosen when it seemed that the state might get
a federal waiver to implement a single payer plan in the next few years. Since that possibility now seems
remote, officials say it doesn't make any sense to vote on a plan until
at least 2015.

Although legislation to restructure Vermont's health care system doesn't commit the state to a single payer system, supporters say it does put
the state on the path to such an approach. And that has some lawmakers concerned.

Governor Peter Shumlin is encouraged by President Obama's support for a bill that would allow states to design their own health care plans starting in 2014. Obama made the announcement during the governor's recent trip to Washington.

Several
hundred people went to the Statehouse today to lobby for a single payer health
care system. Legislative
leaders promised they would explore the approach, but they didn't
commit to having a vote on it this year.